Guinness Pro12 2016-2017

former total

b.gud wrote: »

Like the new broadcast schedule part of the new Pro12 site it makes it very clear where you can watch each match

It also makes it very clear that, eight days ahead of the new season, there is no Italian broadcast deal in place

Winters

former total wrote: »

It also makes it very clear that, eight days ahead of the new season, there is no Italian broadcast deal in place

Again.

b.gud

former total wrote: »

It also makes it very clear that, eight days ahead of the new season, there is no Italian broadcast deal in place

Yep that jumped out at me too.

mogwai81

Does anybody on this forum who lives in Australia know of a means to watch the Pro 12 games now that BeIN sports has cancelled its coverage due to broadcaster issues. It will still be covering the European Champions Cup and the Irish test matches but i will be bitterly disappointed if i can't watch the Pro 12 anymore.
I know this question is probably only directed to a handful of people on this forum but I'm desperate to find a solution.

former total

former total wrote: »

It also makes it very clear that, eight days ahead of the new season, there is no Italian broadcast deal in place

I would hope that Conor O'Shea is going to have a positive impact on Italian rugby on and off the field.

Apart from coaching, I've heard that he is a terrific administrator so whilst it's still early doors I would be hopeful of a gradual turn around on things.

irishbucsfan

Deleted User wrote: »

I would hope that Conor O'Shea is going to have a positive impact on Italian rugby on and off the field.

Apart from coaching, I've heard that he is a terrific administrator so whilst it's still early doors I would be hopeful of a gradual turn around on things.

He hasn't ever actually been a coach, he's always been an administrator and managerial type, so that's really the area he should be judged on although I'm not sure if commercial rights would be anywhere near his remit.

wp_rathead

Fantasy Rugby on Pro 12 site

irishbucsfan

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I'm not sure if commercial rights would be anywhere near his remit.

I doubt they are, but sponsors will be more forthcoming if Italian rugby is performing better.

CatFromHue

Gerry Thornley in his preview of the Pro12 season has given his thoughts on what the final table will look like

1) Glasgow
2) Leinster
3) Ulster
4) Lanelli
5) Cardiff
6) Connacht
7) Munster
8) Ospreys
9) Treviso
10) Edinburgh
11) Zebre
12) Dragons

Some bold predictions there
http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/pro12/pro12-gerry-thornley-s-team-by-team-guide-1.2770741

Interesting that he has Cardiff up so high but then they have recruited a few good players, have a head coach going into his second season for the first time in years and they did finish strongly last season.

Also having Munster so low is pretty striking, I doubt they'll finish outside the European places.

thomond2006

Dragons are a mess off the pitch. It wouldn't be a big surprise if they finished last. All of their big names are gone and they've nobody of note arriving.

I wonder if it's a make or break year for the Italians. They've finished in the bottom two for the last three seasons. Eventually questions will be asked about their contribution. They've made some good signings.

I don't see Ospreys finishing that low if Webb and Biggar play the majority of the season. With those two pulling the strings they'll be competitive.

bilston

Treviso seem to have recruited well so hopefully they are more competitive.

The top 3 seem about right, but after that any one of 4 or 5 teams could grab 4th spot.

But last season taught us to expect the unexpected.

Rigor Mortis

I wouldn't like to be in Thornley's shoes the first time he hits Thomond after that prediction.

Felix Jones is God

Rigor Mortis wrote: »

I wouldn't like to be in Thornley's shoes the first time he hits Thomond after that prediction.

Yerra, I don't think anyone really cares what he thinks before the season even starts.
Team already looks to be moving in the right direction after only 2 games, we'll all settle for that right now

penybont exile

OSPREYS in 8th.

I don't think so Gerry.

former total

penybont exile wrote: »

OSPREYS in 8th.

I don't think so Gerry.

Rigor Mortis wrote: »

I wouldn't like to be in Thornley's shoes the first time he hits Thomond after that prediction.

In fairness to Gerry, he's predicting that Ospreys will finish in the same position and Munster will be one place lower than last season. Neither is an earth-shattering call.

Munster have hardly recruited at all. Kleyn has arrived but Chisholm looks to be finished and Ryan is always a question mark. Bleyendaal will hopefully stay fit but now Holland is in trouble. Saili and Arnold are out and Taute hasn't been confirmed yet (I think?). Replacing BJ Botha with John Andress was lunacy.

Munster's big hope is of course that Erasmus will get much more out of the players than Foley could, and of course POM will be a huge addition, but I wouldn't be slating Gerry for this.

As for the Ospreys; they've brought in hardly anyone at all. Their big hope is that Webb and Biggar will drag them up but they had both available for the latter stages of last season and it didn't help. The attitude is "they can't be as bad as last season", but why not?

I think Gerry is overstating Cardiff's chances of finishing above Munster and Ospreys but other than that, fair enough.

Felix Jones is God

Gerry Thornley = clickbait

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former total wrote: »

In fairness to Gerry, he's predicting that Ospreys will finish in the same position and Munster will be one place lower than last season. Neither is an earth-shattering call.

Munster have hardly recruited at all. Kleyn has arrived but Chisholm looks to be finished and Ryan is always a question mark. Bleyendaal will hopefully stay fit but now Holland is in trouble. Saili and Arnold are out and Taute hasn't been confirmed yet (I think?). Replacing BJ Botha with John Andress was lunacy.

Munster's big hope is of course that Erasmus will get much more out of the players than Foley could, and of course POM will be a huge addition, but I wouldn't be slating Gerry for this.

As for the Ospreys; they've brought in hardly anyone at all. Their big hope is that Webb and Biggar will drag them up but they had both available for the latter stages of last season and it didn't help. The attitude is "they can't be as bad as last season", but why not?

I think Gerry is overstating Cardiff's chances of finishing above Munster and Ospreys but other than that, fair enough.

Ospreys were in much the same boat as Leinster and Glasgow last season but when they had players return from the world cup they never actually got going at all. I think they should improve this year. Munsters issues with recruitment and retirements and concerns over a few players, Bleyendaal, Chisholm for example] could see them struggle badly.

molloyjh

Would be curious to get peoples opinion on this. It's just some ideas on what could be done with the Pro12 to differentiate it from the AP and T14 and deliver something that perhaps appeals to the Pro12s strengths somewhat.

http://rugbywaffle.com/blog/the-future-of-the-pro12

Have been looking at the global calendar as well but figured there was more than enough in the above for one article. Might do a follow up if I get a chance in the next few days.

bilston

I think ways of getting more TV money will be the ultimate driver in the any restructuring. My concern with the idea of reducing the number of games is that yes they would be better quality and therefore presumably more valuable to broadcasters, however if there are fewer games will we actually get any more TV money in the end?

Sky seem to value exclusivity above everything. Having one broadcaster with exclusive rights is surely the best way to maximise TV money. Yes it would mean losing FTA rights and almost certainly far fewer games on live (at the moment almost every provincial game is shown live somewhere) but that's the tough choice.

A conference system is messy but is maybe inevitable. Ideally a 10 team league would be best (with a secondary comp to fill the free weekends, piggy backing on the LV Cup would be my preference) but we all know what that means, and frankly I'd be very loathe to cut the Italians adrift.

awec

Munster could be a surprise package this season tbh.

bilston

awec wrote: »

Munster could be a surprise package this season tbh.

Getting POM back will be a boost. A back row of POM, CJ, TOD and JOD makes me fairly jealous and Kleyn sounds like a useful addition. There are still a lot.of questions about out half and the backs in general, losing Saili for 4 months is a big blow.

It will be interesting to see what impact Erasmus has.

No doubt as usual they will beat us at the Kingspan while fielding their 4ths!!!

Cookiemunster

bilston wrote: »

Sky seem to value exclusivity above everything. Having one broadcaster with exclusive rights is surely the best way to maximise TV money. Yes it would mean losing FTA rights and almost certainly far fewer games on live (at the moment almost every provincial game is shown live somewhere) but that's the tough choice.

I've been saying for ages that the best way to improve attendances is to reduce the amount of televised games. More money from Sky for an exclusive deal and 3 of the 6 games not on live TV would be good for the league.

Evil_g

Cookiemunster wrote: »

I've been saying for ages that the best way to improve attendances is to reduce the amount of televised games. More money from Sky for an exclusive deal and 3 of the 6 games not on live TV would be good for the league.

And a proper two hour highlights package on a Sunday evening.

Winters

Interestingly, live sport gets to a point where the revenue from broadcasting exceeds the match day revenue. At that point the host's priorities alter. English soccer has reached that point, the Pro12 is not there yet.

The black out policy in Gridiron is a good read - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League_television_blackout_policies

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Winters wrote: »

Interestingly, live sport gets to a point where the revenue from broadcasting exceeds the match day revenue. At that point the host's priorities alter. English soccer has reached that point, the Pro12 is not there yet.

The black out policy in Gridiron is a good read - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League_television_blackout_policies

Barca v Real Madrid was on at 5pm UK time a few years ago but Sky could only cut into it at 5.15 because of the blackout deal with the english clubs

Winters

The head of the Pro12 believes the competition will have a bright future without following the "unsustainable" English and French business models.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/37216786

molloyjh

Winters wrote: »

http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/37216786

I like this Anayi fella.....

bilston

Anayi is making all the right noises.

There are only 2 seasons left of the current broadcasting deal so decisions will have to be announced in the next few months.

bilston

I guess the TV rights to the Autumn Internationals will be pretty important to the IRFU as well. I would say there must be a fair chance that Pay TV will get exclusive live rights for the island of Ireland next time round and not just in NI.

icdg

The AIs will be RTE's last remaining rugby deal (AIL playoffs aside) once the Six Nations concludes and I cannot see them putting a lot of money into retaining them if they face a fight.

Adbrowne

How many games will see Zebre ship 50+ this season

Felix Jones is God

Adbrowne wrote: »

How many games will see Zebre ship 50+ this season

Only a few.....the rest will be 60+

thomond2006

Treviso's performance was encouraging last night. They played some nice rugby.

Felix Jones is God

thomond2006 wrote: »

Treviso's performance was encouraging last night.

More to do with the muck their opponents served up no?

Neil3030

Felix Jones is God wrote: »

Only a few.....the rest will be 60+

60+ is 50+.

thomond2006

Felix Jones is God wrote: »

More to do with the muck their opponents served up no?

No doubt Leinster weren't great (Carbery aside). What encouraged me was Treviso's head didn't drop when the scoreline turned against him despite their performance. How often have we seen the Italians phone it in away from home? They need to justify their presence in the league and another bottom two finish would make it four consecutive years of the same.

Felix Jones is God

thomond2006 wrote: »

No doubt Leinster weren't great (Carbery aside). What encouraged me was Treviso's head didn't drop when the scoreline turned against him despite their performance. How often have we seen the Italians phone it in away from home? They need to justify their presence in the league and another bottom two finish would make it four consecutive years of the same.

Can't see it being any different this year to be honest

vienne86

GT had Glasgow as the number 1 team in the league this year. They certainly put down a marker this afternoon.

thomond2006

Cardiff TBP vs Edinburgh

phog

There were no LBPs this weekend and two away wins.

AbusesToilets

Pretty brutal display from Connacht today.

wp_rathead

AbusesToilets wrote: »

Pretty brutal display from Connacht today.

Yup it was blast from the past

bilston

Treviso have recruited well. I reckon they'll reach the heady heights of 10th in the league this season.

Interesting start to the season. Significant away wins for Glasgow and Munster. Expected wins for Ulster, Ospreys and Leinster. Good win by the sounds of things for Cardiff.

molloyjh

bilston wrote: »

Treviso have recruited well. I reckon they'll reach the heady heights of 10th in the league this season.

Interesting start to the season. Significant away wins for Glasgow and Munster. Expected wins for Ulster, Ospreys and Leinster. Good win by the sounds of things for Cardiff.

I wouldn't be shocked to see them in 8th or 9th. You could see the influence the new Kiwi coach is having. Between that and the players they've signed they have potential this season to make big improvements. They just need to keep the heads up. Thomond is right, they were genuinely playing some decent stuff on Friday at times.

phog

From Twitter

Edinburgh Rugby ‏@EdinburghRugby 9m9 minutes ago
BREAKING | Olympic Gold winner Viliame Mata joins #EdinburghRugby on a 2-year deal, subject to medical and visa.

sydthebeat

Dragons zebre sounds like a bit if a bore fest.

11-6 final score, no second half score

molloyjh

sydthebeat wrote: »

Dragons zebre sounds like a bit if a bore fest.

11-6 final score, no second half score

Only 3 points in the second half in Edinburgh. Can't have been much better.

sydthebeat

I can't quite understand why teams don't actively attack the leeching defenders when teams are trying to close out a game like the blues tonight.

More often than not the ball carrier at the head of the pod will turn their shoulder and go ground straight away.
The defending team should just let them and attack the standing leechers with vigour and in numbers and try to push past the ball.
It seems the tackler nearly always try to jackle and is easily cleaned out.

I'm not saying it's an fool proof method, but it would seem more likely too succeed than that folly of trying to attack the ball.

ClanofLams

Cardiff had a pretty good 2nd half of the season last year too. The Arms Park being used as the fanzone meant they had a very hard start last season. Think they had the 4 provinces away in the first 5 rounds or something like that.

Wouldn't be surprised if they finished top 4 and it would be good for the competition too.

bilston

There was an interesting conversation on Scrum V tonight about how Gatland's law is going to start to kick in this year, basically Wales can only select three non Welsh based players and they will without doubt be Roberts, North and Felatau. Bad news for Priestland then, however imagine Halfpenny was fit then a tough choice would have to be made. The reason I bring it up is that this should be a major boost to the Welsh regions once the Welsh players start to see that they will actually miss out on selection if they move away.